conflicted about wvsom

[Doctor Bagel]

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I posted on the acceptance thread thread that I received an automatic admission notice from WVSOM on Saturday without interviewing, completing a secondary or submitting LORs. If you do a search you'll see that two other posters had the same thing happen, so it seems to be something they're doing because of their class size increase.

Anyway, they're asking for $3k by October 3, which is a ton of money. Initially, I was thinking no way because I had already decided not to even submit a secondary to them. However, I did some research, and it seems like it could be a neat place to go to school, although not ideal because the job situation for my spouse would be tricky. I have three interviews in October, so chances are I'll get in somewhere else that's more convenient. But, what if I don't -- it's nice to know that I could definitely be going somewhere next year if I just shell out that $3k.

So, I don't know. 😕 Any insight about WVSOM or anything else?

 

[Sux_Is_In]

my feelings exactly. I'm flying out there later this month to check out the campus and sit in with PBL class. (I'm also going to interview at Pikeville during the same trip.) Right now I have resigned myself toward paying the acceptance fee. I know it is a good school and I am very interested in their PBL track. I am mainly concerned regarding my spouse finding work.

 

[Richie Truxillo]

First off, take everything I am about to say from an "Insider's" viewpoint as I am a student at WVSOM. You should know that up front since I am perhaps a little biased 😉

I turned down a couple other MD/DO schools to come to WVSOM and thus far I really like it. However, I tried to get into school before hand (took me 3 tries before blowing the MCAT out of the water) and 3,000 bucks is a small price to pay for insuring your future as a physician.

You are correct in your theory that they are accepting applicants based on a set criteria, however they are trying to gather quality candidates to accomidate for the increased class size. Is it the best way to go about doing so? I think there are better ways to do so...especially since GPA/MCAT alone doesn't provide too much insight into the character of an individual. However, I think the school is still excellent. 😀 I urge you to come up here and scope the place out before plunking down the $3,000. That is the only way you can be sure. 3k is alot of cash and you deserve to know what you are putting your money toward ahead of time. 😱

I cannot comment on the job situation here since I was a computer science major before I did this med school thing 😛

But congrats on your acceptance and I wish you well in your search for a medical school that fits you perfectly!

-Richie

P.S. To OChemsucks: I am a PBLer, I love it and I couldn't imagine medical school any other way now. Keep in mind that am a "non-traditional" student though. My best friend went through SBL at WVSOM so I know it is good also.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Hey Ochemsucks,
Definitely post about your trip. I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask for more details about clinical rotations, residency match info, financial aid and all that other good stuff that we would probably have gotten from an interview. It's good to know I'm not the only person facing this dilemma.

 

[dr.z]

Could you ask the school to forward your file to interview pile? Then you could go see the school for yourself. Exlawgrrl, I wouldn't worry about acceptance at this point with your stats. You'll be fine at any school you want to be.

 

[shenningdo]

Hey Ochemsucks,
Definitely post about your trip. I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask for more details about clinical rotations, residency match info, financial aid and all that other good stuff that we would probably have gotten from an interview. It's good to know I'm not the only person facing this dilemma.

Hi-

I interviewed at WVSOM this year, and I was accepted four days later. I have lived all over the country, from Orange County, California to Midwest, Indiana to Big City, New York. I was definitely worried about the culture and surrounding areas of WVSOM, and let me tell you, I am not any more. The school is amazing, the people are phenomenal, and there is plenty of work to be had by significant others! I can see how the school might not be for everyone, but you owe it to yourself and your future to consider a visit or some lengthy pondering before dismissing this school completely.

Good luck, and congratulations!
Shenningdo

 

[cyclist05]

I posted on the acceptance thread thread that I received an automatic admission notice from WVSOM on Saturday without interviewing, completing a secondary or submitting LORs. If you do a search you'll see that two other posters had the same thing happen, so it seems to be something they're doing because of their class size increase.

Anyway, they're asking for $3k by October 3, which is a ton of money. Initially, I was thinking no way because I had already decided not to even submit a secondary to them. However, I did some research, and it seems like it could be a neat place to go to school, although not ideal because the job situation for my spouse would be tricky. I have three interviews in October, so chances are I'll get in somewhere else that's more convenient. But, what if I don't -- it's nice to know that I could definitely be going somewhere next year if I just shell out that $3k.

So, I don't know. 😕 Any insight about WVSOM or anything else?

I had the same problem, and ultimately decided that I will not pay the deposit. I will send them a letter tomorrow. $3000 is just way too much money.

I think that having to pay $3000 before October is crazy. I drove down to Lewisburg a couple of weeks ago. I asked if they would put me back in the regular applicant pool and let me interview so that I could put down my deposit on December 14th if I decided to go to WVSOM. I couldn't get a straight answer to this request. I did not apply early decision, so I think this method of acceptance (and deposit by 9/30 requirement) is not totally fair.

I loved the Lewisburg area when I visited. I could see myself being very happy there. Unfortunately, I am an Ohio resident, so I am still holding out hope for an acceptance to an Ohio school. I have an OUCOM interview invite, so I hope I get accepted there and don't totally shoot myself in the foot by declining my seat at WVSOM. 🙁

 

[Raven Feather]

You know what they may be doing? You guys/gals have been accepted without an interview/early interview, have high stats and all right? Well, if a school does this, they seperate the ones using them as a *back up for MD* and/or have no profound desire to got to their school from the ones who do. I'm not implying this is the case for you but why would a school use automatic acceptances (referring to those accepted without an interview) instead of additionally meeting the applicant in person to at least try to get some sort of reassurance that they are not accepting a nutt?--again, I am not ensenuating this to you all--this whole thing strikes my suspicion as to why they are doing this.

 

[DD214_DOC]

You know what they may be doing? You guys/gals have been accepted without an interview/early interview, have high stats and all right? Well, if a school does this, they seperate the ones using them as a *back up for MD* and/or have no profound desire to got to their school from the ones who do. I'm not implying this is the case for you but why would a school use automatic acceptances (referring to those accepted without an interview) instead of additionally meeting the applicant in person to at least try to get some sort of reassurance that they are not accepting a nutt?--again, I am not ensenuating this to you all--this whole thing strikes my suspicion as to why they are doing this.

WVSOM has some of the lowest average numbers of all the DO schools and, I suspect, of all the schools in the nation. Automatically accepting people with numbers above a certain point without any interview or secondary is very enticing. It creates the, "I have one acceptance, and I may not get any more" mentality. Requiring a huge deposit in a short amount of time adds to the urgency. Those who do pay the $3,000 deposit for the assurance of a seat somewhere are more likely to attend to avoid wasting the money. I did the same thing with a Caribbean school. "Hey, it may be a Carib school, but at least I'm going somewhere next year!"

Also, I don't really mind a more efficient and streamlined process. As it is, numbers seem to play the most important role in admissions anyways.

I like WVSOM and was just shy of the 3.5 GPA cut off. I have yet to hear anything from them. In fact, a decision on my application was deferred, either pending August MCAT scores or until they finish their first rounds of interviews; WVSOM seems to interview people in order of how their numbers are.

I was expecting an interview early this year after receiving an invite around November of last year. I'm crossing my fingers.

 

[Raven Feather]

WVSOM has some of the lowest average numbers of all the DO schools and, I suspect, of all the schools in the nation. Automatically accepting people with numbers above a certain point without any interview or secondary is very enticing. It creates the, "I have one acceptance, and I may not get any more" mentality. Requiring a huge deposit in a short amount of time adds to the urgency. Those who do pay the $3,000 deposit for the assurance of a seat somewhere are more likely to attend to avoid wasting the money. I did the same thing with a Caribbean school. "Hey, it may be a Carib school, but at least I'm going somewhere next year!"

Also, I don't really mind a more efficient and streamlined process. As it is, numbers seem to play the most important role in admissions anyways.

I like WVSOM and was just shy of the 3.5 GPA cut off. I have yet to hear anything from them. In fact, a decision on my application was deferred, either pending August MCAT scores or until they finish their first rounds of interviews; WVSOM seems to interview people in order of how their numbers are.

I was expecting an interview early this year after receiving an invite around November of last year. I'm crossing my fingers.

Damn, then. Maybe I should have applied there. 😀

 

[Doctor Bagel]

thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. i'm still on the fence but learning towards paying the fee just for security. honestly, the school sounds great. i've heard the faculty is super-friendly, and the location seems pretty charming. i dig the mountains and am outdoorsy, so i think i'd like it. the dh job issue is the big negative.

so, i'm still thinking about it.

 

[DD214_DOC]

thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. i'm still on the fence but learning towards paying the fee just for security. honestly, the school sounds great. i've heard the faculty is super-friendly, and the location seems pretty charming. i dig the mountains and am outdoorsy, so i think i'd like it. the dh job issue is the big negative.

so, i'm still thinking about it.

Are there any major hospitals or places a nurse could work within reasonable proximity to the school?

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Are there any major hospitals or places a nurse could work within reasonable proximity to the school?

There's a hospital in the area called Greenbriar Hospital or something like that. I know some students do their clinical rotations there and don't have to move.

 

[D.O.2010]

Exlawgirl,
As a resident of WV I can tell you that if you like SMALL town life then WVSOM is for you. I, also, have been accepted to WVSOM and I am very excited. The facilities are great and everyone you encounter from students to staff are super friendly. My advice to you is go tour the campus and get a feel for it yourself. It is a very rural area and with your next two years being committed to being here it is well worth a trip! If you have any questions about the area feel free to contact me. I live within 45 minutes of WVSOM and might be able to help answer some questions. 🙂

 

[UCLAunderdog]

Hey JKMED, you referred to a 3.5 gpa cut off a couple posts back. Is this a 3.5 science gpa cut off or overall? Also is there an MCAT cutoff?

 

[FutureDocDO]

On my status page it says, Decision: Accept Applicant. So I'm accepted right? I need a letter in my hand in order to believe!

 

[DD214_DOC]

Hey JKMED, you referred to a 3.5 gpa cut off a couple posts back. Is this a 3.5 science gpa cut off or overall? Also is there an MCAT cutoff?

This is for their AutoAccept 5000 Program. The 3.5 is science GPA, and the cutoff MCAT is 28.

Their average sgpa and MCAT for normally-accepted students is 3.2 and 23 or something like that.

 

[DD214_DOC]

On my status page it says, Decision: Accept Applicant. So I'm accepted right? I need a letter in my hand in order to believe!

Congrats buddy. Could you PM me your stats? I was offered an interview at WVSOM last year but didn't go as I wasn't ready to live apart from my wife for a year. I have a gut feeling that I'm gonna get in this year, but I'm curious what my actual chances are. My app is on hold until the October scores are reported.

 

[D.O.2010]

On my status page it says, Decision: Accept Applicant. So I'm accepted right? I need a letter in my hand in order to believe!

Yes, this means you are accepted. I thought the same thing and called Donna, Director of Admissions, to confirm. I received my letter about a week after it was posted online.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Yes, this means you are accepted. I thought the same thing and called Donna, Director of Admissions, to confirm. I received my letter about a week after it was posted online.

Thanks and congrats!
I had to email and call the school just to make sure. You do not want to tell your friends and families that you're accepted without making sure, at least I don't 🙂.